Speech/Communication/Debate
Mrs. Katherine Robinson
2016/2017 Class Disclosure
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The primary focus for this class is the third strand of the Common Core Standards for English, Speaking and Listening skills, however; Reading source documents, Researching and Writing speeches will also be required. Students will learn basic skills of Communication, namely, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, understanding through researching debate topics, team work, claims and counterclaims, points of information, argumentation, presenting evidence, refutation, opposition strategies, and offensive argument.
Materials Needed: Each student will need loose-leaf paper, jump/thumb drive, 3-ring binder, a 3-pronged pocket folder, 5 page separators, highlighter, composition notebook, and writing utensil every day. Please DO NOT SEND SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS with your student. I know they are less costly, so if that is what you have, please have your student cut or tear the pages out and place them in a binder or folder. Additional materials may be needed.
Student Responsibilities: Students are expected to be: prepared for class each day, ready to learn, respectful to the teacher and other students, and responsible for their own actions. They must also find out what they missed after being absent, and raise their hands when they wish to contribute or have a question during class, unless directed otherwise. All submitted work is expected to be the student’s best work. Papers in colored pen (besides blue or black), crayon, and marker will not be accepted. The exception is when the assignment requires artistic expression. Since a great deal of focus will be spent on Speaking and Listening, students will be expected to contribute and also note/respond to what others are saying.
Rules:School-wide rules, policies and guidelines will be followed. ALL school policies on safety, dress and use of technological devices will be enforced.
CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING RULES REWARDS
* Warning* Praise
* Reseat/self-study* Participation Points
* Time owed/contemplation log* Good Citizenship Grades!
*Parent involvement
* Severe, Administration involvement
Late Work: I strongly discourage late work for a multitude of great research-based reasons. Assignments that are from one to five calendar days late will receive 50% off the points they would have otherwise earned. Late work WILL NOT be acceptedafter five days from the due date of the assignment (this excludes extreme illness and emergencies. Please understand that on-time work will be given priority over all late work. If a student misses a presentationopportunity, he or she may be required to do a writing assignment to make it up.
Keeping in Touch: Please be sure to update your email information with the office. That way I can send out group blogs/emails to notify you of assignments, upcoming events, etc. Emails are also the best way to get in touch with me, however; I will only respond to student emails sent from a parent’s email that is on file. The next best way is to call the school directly. I’d really appreciate it if you could schedule an appointment with me, rather than showing up in my room at the end of the day. I often have other responsibilities after school, or have other parents or students who need my help, and have made an appointment with me. Additionally, I will return phone messages and e-mails within 24 hours of receipt.
Grading Policy: Each student will be required to write a daily prompt, and to bring in and present a newspaper article every week. Students will be graded on various projects, speaking/writing assignments, quizzes, and tests. My grades are weighted to assure that students’ grades are holistic. A letter grade will be given on the percentage of total points earned in the term. Grades are weighted as follows: Participation 40%, Tests/Speeches 40%, and Journal/Homework 20%.
* Video Clips – During the term, students will view materials directly related to the concepts that are being taught. Often times I can show students what I am teaching, through the use of a video. At no time will a video be shown for entertainment purposes only. TED Talks, in particular, will be the most used source for this.
Blog: You will find my blog through the school website.
Email:
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PLEASE DETATCH, SIGN AND RETURN THE FORM BELOW FOR A GRADE. ~ MRS. ROBINSON